Thranduil did not know how long he had been in the library. The lamps were burning low, his back stiff from leaning against the bookcase. Blessedly, he'd been left alone to his work. Though he suspected Húrdir's meetings had long since ended, and that the advisor would soon have half the royal guard out searching for him. Groaning, he set the book he'd been studying on the floor and stood. He stretched out his back, jumping when he heard a knock on the door. He ignored it. The knocking turned into pounding, accompanied by a voice.
"Thranduil? Open this door! Or I will break it down!"
Húrdir. Sighing, Thranduil strode to the door and let his advisor in. Húrdir shook his head.
"You blew off the council meeting."
"I did."
"And you didn't drink your water."
Thranduil shook his head. Húrdir continued. "You know, I half expected to have to break in and haul your drunk ass up to bed." He looked around, seeing no signs Thranduil had been drinking. "It seems I was mistaken."
"Have you no faith in me?" protested the king. Húrdir raised an eyebrow. Thranduil huffed. "I'll give you that. I was so engrossed I forgot to get drunk. Lucky you."
"Did you find anything?" Húrdir asked, walking over to replace the book Thranduil had left on the floor to its rightful place on the shelf.
Thranduil shook his head. "No. Unless you count reading about how quickly trees burn with dragon fire as new knowledge." Thranduil sighed again. "What word from the council?"
"We've pulled back patrols. The enemy is growing bolder- taking more forest. Though our patrols seem to be holding out well enough." Húrdir shrugged. "They asked after Legolas. I did not answer them, other than to tell them you would update them as you saw fit."
"Thank you, my friend. I suppose we must think of something to tell them. Do you have any ideas?"
"No. And I don't think I will until I've had some sleep. I spent half the night searching for you. You've got to get yourself together as well. You've not claimed a headache in decades."
"Húrdir, you mother hen. I'm fine- simply stretched thin." Thranduil raised his hands in a placating gesture when the advisor opened his mouth to argue. "But I will go sleep." He began to walk out of the library when Húrdir's voice stopped him.
"Thranduil. Drink some water, will you?"
Waving a hand in farewell, Thranduil left the room, Húrdir huffing in frustration before following him down the hall.
A/N: Guys! I know that this chapter is so super short. But that's cause I am working on the next chapter and I wanted to wrap up this little part before I threw you into the next section… A page break just felt awkward to me. Also, life is still so crazy, cause I just got another promotion and I AM STRESSING. I really gotta stop doing this to myself. Anywho. I'm starting my last semester of undergrad in like, 2 weeks, and then at least I won't have college looming over my sad, disorganized brain. I've not forgotten you, I'm just not very good at juggling all the things right now. Let me know what you think! Messages and reviews make my day, and the notifications remind me that I have unfinished business ;) Much Love to ya'll, stay safe and healthy (I write, as I await the results of my second COVID test in a month and a half *facepalms*) 3